Since the 2000s THINKDESIGN has been responsible directly or indirectly for FF&E and CRE collection development. Most recently THINKDESIGN #G2G concept store.

THINKDESIGN’s partnership with SBSA began was after an international design agency developed an amazing brand concept, but needed industrialisation that was feasible for South Africa and for the magnitude roll out schedule.

The design favoured time consuming traditional shop fitted manufacturer, THINKDESIGN fully industrialised the concept. Since then TD has been involved in 2 further POC development processes.

The CRE and FF&E design and analysis processes TD developed have become the bench mark operating procedure in the South African banking sector.

Since Absa’s divorce from Barclays. Absa was seen as identity less

Through the Africanacity campaign Absa re-launched it’s self as the Africa’s Bank. THINKDESIGN’s role was to deliver a CRE and FF&E package that met the Africanacity aesthitc for roll out throughout the African continent.

THINKDESIGN’s involvement was the vital link between the selected suppliers, contactors, specialist engineers and the client’s business structures including procurement, premises and facilities and marketing.

THINKDESIGN’s approach was to look at the development holistically considering all elements as connected. As in nature, all elements have an impact on the larger ecosystem. With an incredible short lead-time the roll out site was to the the working prototype, presented to customers and business stakeholders at the same time.

In partnership with the appointed agency THINKDESIGN was commissioned design and industrialise the furniture and security elements for the institution.

Ithala being a State Owned Enterprise it was important that industrialisation be as “low tech” as possible. Ensuring that supply would be as widely acessable as possible to previously disadvantaged businesses and start-up SMEs. The challenge in the design process was to create a low-tech solution that held it’s own against the established “Big 5” banks in South Africa.

THINKDESIGN manufactured, supplied and installed all furniture elements for the 1st two Proof Of Concept stores.

The project lead-time was incredibly short at 8 weeks incl. design, build, installation and commissioning.

2016 - 2017

Established by THINKDESIGN 2018, 3&¾ as a prototype studio and specialist project shopfitter.

3&¾ represents the Imperial weight of both brain and heart together, a metaphor the hard edge of technology and soft human touch.

Recently 3&¾ has undertaken to design 1st signature collection, SUNDAYS. Sundays is inspired by Sunday family lunches. The pieces in the range combine a romanticised memory of family furniture and the strong flavours of African meals. The richness of those moments are expressed in luxury texture, pattern and material. Scheduled for launch in mid 2020.

Commissioned by the LEVY family. 3&¾ was tasked to create a statement piece that represented the families love for entertaining. The polygon form was inspired by the angular architecture of the home. The Bar was construct from wire brushed satin black lacquered solid white oak, white oak Veneer and locally sourced black quartz granite. Other commissioned for the family included study pods for the twins and bedroom furniture.

CROWBAR, An end to end project for an up and coming craft beer / sports bar. The restaurants has a strong outdoor industrial warehouse theme. As the name suggests the use of Crowbars through-out was mandatory. The project included the manufacture of many 1 off furniture pieces, sourcing unique recycled, reclaimed and up-cycled elements. the Second site is currently being planned.

“WHY NOT African”? The brief was to create an commercial activity furniture collection inspired by Africa. THINKDESIGN’s approach was to combine the vibrancy , boldness and sometimes chaotic energy of the continent with the western nostalgia of Mid-Century forms.

WHYN?T is an exercise in “local is lekka”. A South African term translating to “local is best”. WHYN?T makes use of only locally sourced finishes, from Jacarada & Kiaat timber to locally milled and dyed Shweshwe fabrics.

The collection consists of approx. 75 furniture elements to form 1000s of unique installation possibilities.

Collection pieces include of curved and straight bench seating, couches, high back couches or bus shelters, privacy screens, cafe and coffee tables, light fixtures and accessories incl. coat stands, magazine racks and planters.

Commissioned by UKHUNI Business Furniture. The project has been End to End. Including market, financial, material, finish, ergonomic, technical, production and manufacturing feasibility studies, Ideation, mock-up and prototyping. manufacturing refinement, management of the tooling process, training and development marketing collateral.

Launch on Heritage day, 24 September 2016. WHYN?T has found a unique space in hospitality, retail and office environments.

WHYN?T was awarded the 1st runner up in the DTI’s furniture design completion.

Inspired by the elegance of a principal ballet dancer. The inspiration carries through into the functionality of the collection offering flexibility and elegance of movement.

The brief was to create a mid point desk and benching collection with deign flare.*

Since 2017 MADA as become Ukhuni’s champion desk collection, out selling all its competitors.

A technical re-usable office walling system

The walling system offers incredible flexibility and speed of assembly and disassembly. The range includes single and double glased and solid full height and low level walls, sliding doors, double doors and single doors as well as power and data reticulation and acoustic adaptations.

Launch in 2015 Barcode has become the gold standard in demountable partitioning in Southern Africa, utilised in many commercial office, retail environments.

A conceptual project inspired by the luxury and depth of texture of fresh artichoke.

Conceived as a high end desk and benching collection, with solid cast brass legs and details, solid indigenous wood, luxury fabrics, layers of desk tops and storage units stitched together.

During the feasibility study, Artichoke was deemed not to be viable.

The feasibility studies became the foundation development for MADA.

The brief was to create a simple and cost effective solution to increase the strength of a flat pack bed they had designed and tooled in-house.

Feasibility study and concept development with the primary objective to understand the capital investment and market place interest in the production of plastic injection moulded shopping trolleys in South Africa.

THINKDESIGN’s involvement included studies into understanding local and international competition, concept improvements and the creation of potential value add extras. Product weight analysis and understanding where savings could be made. Estimated development cost, product cost and finally create an aesthetically appealing design concept and presentation to present to potential investors.

Market place feasibility studies proved that the local market could not make a return on investment.

PERFORMANCE CYCLING APPAREL

As an internal design project in conjunction with PANDA Sportswear THINKDESIGN developed professional Performance Cycling Apparel (PCA). The project included fabric research and development, ergonomic, aerodynamic and athletic fit customisation. Along with the technical development TD created the unique graphic elements the sponsored athletes have become known for. The TD PCA apparel has been worn to numerous Grand Fondo, provincial and national track cycling victories.